This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

Position: partial shade

Soil: heavy, neutral to alkaline soil

Rate of growth: average

Flowering period: February to April

Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection)

Beautiful, pendent or outward-facing, dusky purple and heavily-speckled flowers, appear from February to April above leathery, deep green leaves. This is an attractive variety, which is perfect as a ground cover for areas of dappled shade under deciduous trees and shrubs. Like all hellebores, they prefer a heavy, neutral to alkaline soil.

Garden care: Add lots of well-rotted leaf mould or organic matter to the planting hole. Cut the old leaves back down to the ground in January or February as this will show off the new emerging flowers to best effect. It will also help to get rid of foliar diseases such as Hellebore leaf spot. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant in autumn and provide a top-dressing of general fertiliser each spring. Cut off the seed heads to prevent inferior seedlings colonising.